5 Stranded Climbers Led Off Mount Hood

Published: January 13, 2003

TIMBERLINE LODGE, Ore., Jan. 12—
Rescuers on snowy, wind-whipped Mount Hood led five climbers to safety after they became lost in a whiteout and were stranded overnight, the authorities said today.

The climbers left on Saturday morning and were expected to return that evening. But they lost their way and found themselves near steep cliffs instead. Rather than risk trying to continue, they stopped and dug into the snow, said Kathleen Walker of the Forest Service.

Search-and-rescue teams were in contact with the five by cellphone, Ms. Walker said. The climbers also had a device that allowed rescuers to home in on their position.

Because of the elevation, rescuers could not use a helicopter, but they were able to reach the climbers on foot.

''They were a little cold, but they were about to walk out on their own,'' said Marty Johnson of Portland Mountain Rescue.

Mr. Johnson said the five were packing their gear when rescuers arrived. ''We helped them pack and got them out of there,'' he said. ''There were some pretty nasty conditions.''